Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has publicly addressed criticism of his officiating in last season's dramatic Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona, claiming key decisions actually favoured the Spanish side. The exchange occurred at an event in Poland where a Barcelona fan confronted Marciniak, stating he had not forgiven him for what happened in the match at San Siro. Marciniak, who took charge of Inter's 4-3 extra-time victory, responded by detailing two specific incidents where Video Assistant Referee corrections went against the Nerazzurri.
According to Marciniak's account, he initially denied Inter a penalty in the first half for a foul on Lautaro Martinez, only for the VAR to intervene and show him the infringement, leading to a corrected decision and a spot-kick for the Italian side. The referee further stated that in the second half, he awarded a penalty to Barcelona for a challenge on Lamine Yamal by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the VAR again intervened, showing him the foul occurred just outside the area, leading to the award of a free-kick instead. Marciniak concluded that both corrections were technically decisions made in favour of Barcelona, a point he emphasised to the fan.
The match in question, played in April 2025, was a classic encounter decided by a Davide Frattesi goal in extra time, sending Inter through to the final. Marciniak's performance was heavily scrutinised at the time, with particular focus on the two major penalty incidents. His detailed recollection, shared a year later, provides a rare insight into the on-field and VAR dialogue during high-stakes moments. The fan, after hearing the explanation, joked about offering Marciniak money to call a penalty for Barcelona in the future, which the referee politely dismissed.
Marciniak is one of Europe's most respected officials, having refereed the 2022 FIFA World Cup final and the 2023 UEFA Champions League final. His comments come amid a broader, often tense, discussion about the use of VAR in football, particularly in high-profile matches. The incident underscores the lasting impact controversial refereeing decisions can have on fans' perceptions, even a full season after the event. For both clubs, the memory of that semi-final remains vivid as they plan their campaigns for the upcoming season, with Inter and Barcelona both expected to be among the contenders in European competition once more.
